Building a fence this weekend? This calculator tells you how many posts, rails, and pickets you need based on your fence length and style. It accounts for proper post spacing so your fence stays straight and solid for years.
Fence Dimensions
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Posts & Pickets
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Scenario: You're building a 100-foot privacy fence at 6 ft tall with posts every 8 feet, 3 rails per section, 5.5-inch pickets, and a 0.25-inch picket gap.
Result: You need 14 posts (100/8 + 1, rounded up), 39 rails (13 sections x 3), and 209 pickets. Budget 1-2 bags of concrete per post hole.
With standard 8-foot spacing, you need 14 posts (100/8 = 12.5 sections, plus 1 for the end, rounded up to 14). With 6-foot spacing, you'd need 18 posts. Always add one extra for the starting post.
Standard spacing is 8 feet for most wood fences. Use 6-foot spacing for tall privacy fences (over 6 ft) or in areas with high winds. Vinyl fences usually require 6 or 8 ft spacing as specified by the manufacturer.
Bury at least 1/3 of the total post length. For a 6-foot fence, use 8-foot posts and set them 2 feet deep. In cold climates, set posts below the frost line (usually 36-48 inches) to prevent heaving.
1-2 bags of 50 lb quick-set concrete for a standard 4x4 post in a 10-inch hole. Larger 6x6 posts or deeper holes need 3-4 bags each. Quick-set is worth the extra cost since you can hang rails the same day.
Want to learn more before you start your project?
Read the full guide →
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